Anna Mae Loucks-Sesser, Illinois

Anna Mae Loucks, 96, of Sesser, Illinois, passed away on February 15, 2026, at her home with her family at her side.

Anna Mae was born on May 17, 1929, in Du Bois, Illinois, to Elda Miller Zettler and Geroge Zettler. She married Carl Loucks on November 19, 1949. They were blessed with two children, Doris (Randall) Worley and Carl “Gene” Loucks, all of Scheller. Carl and Anna Mae shared almost fifty-four years of marriage before his passing on September 20, 2003. Their son, Gene, also preceded Anna Mae in death on February 13, 2024.

In addition to her daughter and son-in-law, Anna Mae is survived by her six grandchildren: Tammy (John) Launius, Brent (Becky) Loucks, Chanda (Edvis) Taylor, Andrea (Keith) Trader, Bryce (Heather Kelly) Worley, and Amanda (Eric) Gajewski and eleven great-grandchildren: Preston (Madison) Launius, Seth (fiancé, Haden Harmon) Loucks, Quinn (Alyssa Dawson) Gajewski, Pearson (fiancé, Jillian Shaneyfelt) Launius, Wyatt (Patrice Laur) Loucks, Sophie (Caleb Hall) Trader, Addie Trader, Shaelyn Taylor, Hagen Gajewski, Easton Trader, and Pearl Worley. She is also survived by her sister, Edna Morgan of Kansas City, Missouri, and her sister-in-law, Barbara Loucks of Sesser, Illinois, and many special nieces and nephews.

Anna Mae was of the Baptist faith and a member of White Oak Baptist Church. She was an example of love and sacrifice. She worked hard her entire life and cared for others. She and Carl opened their home to help many family members. Anna Mae worked alongside Carl on the farm, and she worked at Decca Records. Anna Mae and Carl enjoyed going to country dances. They also enjoyed planting a large garden. Anna Mae continued gardening and canning as long as she was able. She valued a simple life and believed in making do with what you were given. She kept her love for farming throughout her life. She enjoyed talking to her friend, Bill Sulcer, about the crops and sitting on her porch watching Bill farm her land after Carl’s passing.

Anna Mae’s greatest joy was her family. She loved large family gatherings. She enjoyed evening rides with her daughter to look for deer and visit her grandchildren. Each night she wanted to make sure that her family was home safe before she rested. She was the center of her family and will be greatly missed.

In addition to her parents, husband, and son, she was preceded in death by her siblings, and their spouses: Harold Dean (Ruth) Zettler, George (Wilma) Zettler, Loretta (Craig) Gladson, Viola (Mickey Allsup) Dublo, Bob (Helen) Zettler, and Tommy Glascock. She was also preceded in death by special in-laws, Ira Morgan, Carson (Nellie) Loucks, Harold Dean Loucks, James (Jackie) Loucks, Mary (Ernest) Panzier, Dorthy Panzier, and Velma Robinson.

Funeral services will be on Friday February 20, 2026 at 11:00 AM at the Brayfield-Gilbert Funeral Home in Sesser with Brother Larry Cook officiating. Visitation will be on Thursday February 19, 2026 from 5:00 PM until 8:00 PM at the funeral home and on Friday morning from 8:00 AM until the time of the service at 11:00 AM. Burial will be at Maple Hill Cemetery in Sesser.

For more information go to our website www.gilbertfuneralhomes.com